Meet my BFFs: Mikey Perkey

I decided to steal an awesome idea from my uber-talented friend Natalie (with permission of course) and take some time to highlight my BFFs every once in a while.  

First up is the hilarious, talented, generous, helpful, intelligent, handsome, and all around amazing guy Michael James Perkes.

I was so excited to meet Mike after he moved to the city for so many reasons.  First off, you know those people whose names you hear all the time, but you've never met?  That was Mike Perkes.  It seemed like he was friends with everyone.  He also was a fellow BYU-I alum, and if that doesn't bond two people together I don't know what does.  Not to mention he was friends with a lot of my friends while we were in college; I'm not sure how we missed each other, seeing as how we were in the same apartment complex and knew all the same people.

Luckily for me he moved to New York!  I'll never forget the first thing he said to me.  We were sitting next to each other in Sacrament Meeting (he lived with our mutual friend Steve) and after Steve introduced us he said, "Aren't you like, bff with Aimee Brower?"  I couldn't help but laugh because it was so random, and so true!  Plus, how many guys can drop something like "bff" into a sentence so nonchalantly, and still sound so cool?  Apparently we'd both heard a lot about each other.

Being in the same ward (until I moved downtown), working two blocks from each other, and having a shared love for eating out made us fast friends.

At the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2007

Where's your favorite place to go in the city?

Central Park or the 5th floor of the Museum of Modern Art.

(Mikey, that's MY favorite floor too!!)

What would you do if you randomly had the day off work?

Wake up at 7:30am and watch Saved By the Bell, go sample the cheeses for free at Murray's Cheese on Bleeker Street, take a nap, read, go to dinner, go to a movie, or hang out with friends.

Living in NYC on a budget is tough; what's something on which you're willing to splurge?

Definitely dinner.  A few times I have spent half a day's pay on one meal.  And it was delicious!

If I could give you front row tickets to any concert, what would you pick?

Blues Traveler, Talib Kweli, Garth Brooks, or Lil Jon.

(I'm with you on Garth.)

If you only had time to watch one tv show a week, which would you choose?

The Office or Three's Company.  (Suzanne Summers was a fox!)  But most likely The Office.

What makes for a perfect date?

A funny girl who doesn't mind laughing at my lame jokes + good food = best date ever.

What's something people would be surprised to know about you?

Even though I have horrible grammar, I have always wanted to write a monthly restaurant review column with friends.  And I still want to be a firefighter when I grow up.

When you've had a really bad day what makes you feel better?

I am a big hug person, but don't expect me to cry...

Who's your celebrity crush?

Kate Hudson

Who's someone who has changed or shaped your life for the better?

My brother John.  The level of enthusiasm he has for his passions in life is truly awesome, and pretty inspirational.

Who's your favorite baseball team?

Atlanta Braves.  As far as Yankees or Mets, definitely Yankees.

(Good call on the Yanks.)

What book are you currently reading?

Since it is tax season and I'm an accountant, I don't have time to read.  But I plan to read The Road by Cormac McCarthy as soon as I get my own life back.

(Am I the only person who couldn't get into that book??)

You've got two roundtrip tickets anywhere in the world.  Where do you go and who do you take?

I would love to visit a Polynesian island, and I am currently taking applications for a travel buddy, so submit your resume soon!

(Oh!  Me!  Me!)

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Don't set your expectations for life based on other peoples' limits.  And maybe lay off the Krispy Kreme doughnuts a little.

Here's Mikey helping me paint my new room just before I moved in.  He told me he was "one of the top 10 best non-professional painters" so I mean, how could I not ask for his help??  Mike's helped me with so many things from painting, to setting up a ridiculous IKEA wardrobe (and making me "hug it out" after said wardrobe fell on my foot), to just making me laugh all the time.  He sends me hilarious emails that have me cracking up at my desk (literally, coworkers always know when I'm reading an email from him) and when we hang out I never stop laughing.  He listens to my endless dumb girl stories and actually makes me believe they're not that boring.  Everyone needs a Mikey Perkey in their life!!